Before and After

Before and After: Actions

This week we’re focusing on how you can use Photoshop actions to both make your photo editing easier, but to also enhance your overall work.

Here’s a photo straight out of the camera:

A little scary, no? But, it’s definitely something we can work with. First, we’ll run Holly’s Defog Action:

It is so amazing to see what that one, easy action can do to a photo! After using the defog action, we’ll try Holly’s Vintage Rock Star Action from her Photographer’s Assistant package:

I just love this action! It can make even the cutest 2-year-old look like a rock star. After both the defog and the vintage rock star actions have worked their magic, we’ll try adding the Dreamy Fairytale action (also from Holly’s Photographer’s Assistant Package):

Finally, I added a couple of textures using the Pink Ink FREE texture action (to go along with our Texture Tuesdays feature of course!)

The evolution of this photo from SOOC to final presentation is astounding… and each step takes a minute or two! Viola – instant rockin’ photo.

I almost forgot about Heather’s Sharpen Up action. Here’s the same original photo with JUST this action:

So, why don’t you try out some of our actions today? It will make your life SO much easier, especially when editing large amounts of photos!

Before and After: Combining Techniques

It’s been a while since we had a Before and After here at Pink Ink, and we thought we’d bring back this fun feature.

In the past, we’ve showed you textures, layers and a black-and-white action. What if you were to combine textures with some of the fabulous actions here at Pink Ink? Combining multiple artistic features can really give your photos a little extra punch.

Now, I’m not a professional photographer like you or the others on the Pink Ink team, but I have been known to take a picture or two from time to time.

Here’s a photo I took at our local zoo’s giraffe experience exhibit.

Not too bad, but perhaps it could use a little something. I thought I would try adding one of the textures from Texture Tuesdays. (By the way, if you haven’t downloaded the fabulous action and our FREE textures, what are you waiting for?)

This is OK, but not great. The texture just doesn’t quite work for me. So, I thought I might try a couple of the Photoshop actions instead.

Now we’re getting somewhere. I used Holly’s defog action along with one of the washes from her Photographer’s Assistant Set. I decided to go one step further, and after running these actions, try adding a texture.

Doesn’t this give the photo a little extra pop?

Bottom line, don’t be afraid to think outside the box — you never know what kind of results you’ll get until you try. You could try Heather’s Colorburst Action along with a texture or overlay for a totally different look.

Before and After-textures

Adding textures to your photos can be tricky. Not every photo looks good with a texture but sometimes it really adds to the image! When you are out shooting, try to picture a particular image with a texture on it. Textures aren’t for everyone. I happen to like the way they can enhance an image.

 

 

 

The original image was just fine. But, I wanted to add some fun to it. So, I added a slight brown tint to it and then added a texture, or two. Make sure when you are using textures to erase on the areas that you don’t want your texture to show. I usually erase around the faces.

 

I hope this helps. Now, go have fun with textures!!!

Hugs Melissa

Before and After-layers

Hi everyone! Time for another Before and After. I was going through some images and liked this one. The subjects were way too dark, but if I lightened the entire photo it would blow out the clouds and water. So, what I did was use the dodge and burn tool to lighten the subjects. Then I saved that layer. I then opened the original file and dragged the new picture, with the lightened subjects on it, onto the old picture. Then I used the eraser tool to erase just the subjects so that the lightened areas would show through. Just be careful when doing this.

 

-I hope this is helpful for people! Take care!

Warmly

Melissa

Before and After-black and white

Hello everyone! It’s Melissa. So sorry it’s been so long since my last before and after installment. Today I wanted to talk about black and white conversions. Sometimes an image just looks better black and white, or can evoke a different emotion when it is black and white.

This image is very cute in color, but it looked so much better in black and white. Doesn’t it look like it was taken in a square in Germany? To get this look I used my FAVORITE black and white action from Holly, called Simple Black and White. You can get it in the store. It really is the best black and white action that I have seen so far. I hope this helps everyone look at their images a little differently. Have a great day!!